Paris Attractions Free Things to Do in Paris, The City of Lights

Paris is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but taking a short break or holiday there doesn't have to break the bank. There are just too many attractions to list and you'll find a lot of them are free. Here are a few ideas on how to make the most of your holiday or weekend break away.

Watch Free Films at Parc de la Villette
Entrance is free to this 86+ acre park and gardens at the edge of the Paris suburbs at the outer edge of the 19th arrondissement. During the summer there is a cinema festival, when you can gather at sunset with a picnic and watch a film on a large inflatable screen. Check out street art and free music, you'll often find samba bands practising in the park. This is well worth a visit if you want to do something a little different.

Go to the Beach
You're right Paris is no where near the coast, but in July to August sand is loaded on to the banks of the River Seine. You'll find the 'Paris Plage' between Ile St. Louis to Jardin des Tuileries, where two tonnes of sand and palm trees instantly transform the area. You can enjoy sun, themed events, concerts and even a swimming pool which is a big plus as the Seine isn't actually fit to swim in.

Free Fashion Show at Galleries Lafayette
Paris and Galleries Lafayette department store is known the world over for fashion and you can feel like the elite fashionista by attending one of the weekly fashion shows. They are held Fridays at 3pm on the 7th floor of the main Haussmann store in the Salon Opéra.

Fragonard Perfume Museum (Le Musee du Parfum)
Take a free guided tour in a museum housed in a beautiful 19th Century Napolean III townhouse. There are free guided tours throughout the day. Learn the secrets of how perfume has been made through the ages, and inspect perfumery objects used in their production. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm, Sundays and holidays, 9am to 5pm.

Notre Dame Cathedral
The cathedral is always a draw for tourists and for good reason, it's a treasure on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris. You can spend money by climbing the tower or visiting the museum but it doesn't cost a penny step inside and enjoy the beautiful stain glass windows. If you're lucky you may even find yourself there whilst a free concert is on or free Sunday afternoon organ recitals.

Organ Recital at St. Eustache
Houses one of the largest organs in the world, and is famous for where Mozart held the funeral for his mother. Free concerts are held every Sunday at 5.30pm.

Place des Vosges
This is the oldest square in Paris, located in le Marais and is part of the 3rd and 4th arrondissements. It has something for everyone, a museum, several restaurants, cafes and now for the free part there is a park to watch the world go by and free entertainment by entertainers under the arches. The Victor Hugo Museum is also free, he lived in the Hotel de Rohan Guéménée for sixteen years and wrote a number of his major works here. The museum is Close Mondays and holidays but is open from 10h to 18h from Tuesday to Sunday. Just to note special showings at certain times do have an entrance charge which varies according to the particular exhibit.